Funding of $82.5 million in mental health and wellness supports to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improving access and addressing growing demand, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will help partners and communities to adapt mental wellness services to the current COVID-19 context, including:

• expanding access to culturally appropriate services such as on the land activities, community-based health supports and mental wellness teams;
• adapting mental health services, such as virtual counselling, to meet increased demand; and
• supporting Indigenous partners in developing innovative strategies to address substance use and to improve access to treatment services.

From January to April 2019, the Hope for Wellness Help Line received 3,602 calls and chats from individuals seeking crisis intervention services. For this same period in 2020, there have been just over 10,000 calls and chats, representing a 178% increase in demand.